When we hear the term cultural heritage, we often think of artifacts like paintings or sculptures; architectural structures; historical buildings and monuments; and archaeological sites. But it has now expanded to include the natural environment as well.
An improved readiness worldwide to accept loss and adapt to change could help avoid cultural trauma, allowing societies to better face the challenges of globalization.
Artifacts
When most people think of cultural heritage, they envision paintings, drawings and prints, historical buildings and monuments, archaeological sites, and museums. But the concept has expanded in recent years to include any evidence of human creativity and expression, including photographs, books and manuscripts, tools, and instruments.
These objects provide clues about a time and place. They can reveal technological processes, economic development and social structure. They also serve as valuable bridges between different cultures, encouraging dialogue and understanding.
Many scholars have raised concerns about the ontological downgrading of ordinary objects. Lynne Rudder Baker, for example, advocates a “constitution” view, in which material things are non-reductively constructed of other material things. She argues that even spider webs and beaver dams are artifacts if they satisfy the definition’s criteria of being intentionally made rather than simply arising from natural processes.
History
For thousands of years, societies have worked to preserve cultural heritage. They created complex buildings that would last for centuries, copied works of art in great detail and taught their children about the past in schools with stories and songs.
Today, preserving cultural heritage is an international priority. It is often subject to natural deterioration and also vulnerable to threats from human activities, such as war and conflict or unsustainable tourism.
The history of the intentional destruction of cultural heritage is long and diverse, with motivations that range from religious iconoclasm to economic factors. During armed conflicts, it is common for cultural sites and artifacts to become targets, as they can be seen as symbols of a vanquished or defeated regime.
The preservation of cultural heritage depends on laws and regulations at the local, national and international level. However, this is not always enough to prevent the loss of valuable material. This is why tools like Transkribus are needed to digitise, transcribe and preserve historical documents, making them accessible for research and the public.
Culture
Cultural heritage includes the culture of a particular group or society including their knowledge, beliefs, art, morals, laws and customs, as well as capabilities and habits acquired by their members over time. It can be shared across cultures, such as when Japanese prints influenced Paul Gauguin’s work or Liberian homes were inspired by neoclassical American design.
Cultural heritage is important to preserve because it helps people connect with their history and allows them to feel a sense of community. It can also inspire them to protect the environment and help others in need.
One of the biggest challenges in protecting cultural heritage is balancing private and public ownership. Some objects can be protected as cultural heritage even if they are privately owned, such as sculptures decorating the facade of a building that are considered part of the city’s cultural heritage by the government. This can create conflict if someone wishes to remove them for commercial reasons.
Identity
Cultural heritage is important to all humans and can be a source of pride. However, its loss during disaster or conflict can be catastrophic. Innovative methods of learning, including cognitive and computer science, are helping to develop tools that can assist with preservation and restoration of cultural heritage.
Intangible cultural heritage includes social customs and traditions, beliefs, languages, art, music and cuisine. These, along with physical artifacts, characterize and identify a society.
In identity-based conflicts, heritage can serve four functions: enhancing (confirming identity); legitimization (supporting existing power structures and intergroup relations); normative (restoring justice and empowerment); and healing. These functions are based on the value that a society attaches to heritage.